Life rafts



Nov. 11, 1958 c. E. MANHART 2,359,457

v LIFE RAFTS Filed July 5, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIIII;

5 INVENTOA l G.4 rles E. Manhar www ATTY.

Nov. 11, 1958 c. E. MANHART 2,859,457

LIFE RAFTS Filed July 5. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: Charles E.Monhclr'r BY Nov. 11, 1958 c. E. MANHART LIFE RAFTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed July 5, 1955 FIG.9.

ATTY.

United States Patent LIFE RAFTS Charles E. Manhart, Miami, Fla.

Application `luly 5, 1955, Serial No. 519,780

2 Claims. (Cl. 911) This invention relates to life-rafts, and moreparticularly to inflatable life-rafts of the type carried in aucraft,

or the like, for use for survival-at-sea, in the event of a crash orforced landing.

It is an object of the invention to devise a relatively light-weightinflatable raft capable of carrying a maximum number of passengers.

Rafts of this general type frequently have a plurality of inflatabletubes, so that in the event one becomes punctured, the remaining tube ortubes will keep the raft afloat. These rafts suffer the disadvantage,however, that should two or more of the tubes become punctured, the raftwill fail in its purpose. In order to overcome this objection, it is anobject of this invention to devise a single tube raft that is socompartmented or bulkheaded thatin the event one or more of thecompartments should become ruptured, the raft will still remain afloat.

In crashes of aircraft at sea, it often happens that some appreciabletime passes before rescue can be effected. During such time survivorsare exposed to the ravages of the elements, and may suffer even moreserious hurts than those incurred in the original crash. It is,therefore, another object of this invention to devise sheltering meansto be used with the raft for the safety and convenience of thesurvivors.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of anattention-attracting light, visible through the sheltering means.

Another object of the invention is to devise a raft that is reversible;namely, a raft that is equally readily usable irrespective of which sidethereof may be in contact with the water.

In rough weather to which survivors at sea are often subjected, itsometimes happens that one or more of the survivors may be thrown abouton the raft and possibly cast into the sea and lost. It is known t-oprovide lifelines around the periphery of conventional life-rafts forthe safety and convenience of survivors. It is an object of thisinvention, however, to provide, in addition to the conventionallife-lines around the periphery of the raft, life-lines disposed on thesurvivor-supporting deck of the raft, such life-lines being attached ina manner which will permit them to be readily releasable from theirmoorings in order to better secure the safety of the survivors.

Such objects and others that appear hereinafter can be realized by anembodiment of the invention that has an endless inatable and dellatabletube forming the outline or periphery of the life-raft with adiaphragmatic deck or floor supported more or less diametrically fromthe tube for supporting survivors thereon. The tube is compartmentizedby means of a plurality of .transversely extending flexible coned-shapeddivisions or bulkheads having closable and openable equalizer meansbridging the divisions, and tube-inflating means are provided. Such araft is reversible, namely it can be used either side up. Additionaladvantage can be derived by using a shelter means forming a canopysecured at the periphery of the Patented Nov. 11, 1958 raft, held inextended or survivor-covering position by a mast that can beoar-supported means rising from the deck for upholding the peak of thecanopy. peak can be made of substantially transparent material so thatflashing means on the mast can be seen through the transparent peak. Thecanopy can be made more commodious by being formed with a shoulderportion supported from stanchions, that may be telescopic, secured tothe tube. Additionally, there may be a life-line on the deck slidablyheldin place by breakable fastenings. Other features of advantage appearhereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of the raft of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the raft, with the canopyattached;

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional View, taken along the line3 3 of Fig. 2, showing the detail of the canopy supporting means and thecanopy-retaining means;

Fig. 4 is a View of the equalizer tube, with certain parts incross-section;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view, in perspective, of the novel life-line securing means;

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the mast;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the flexible bulkheaddivider;

Fig. 9 is a View of the deck-top life-line securing means;

Fig. 10 is a view in front elevation of the canopy rod supporting means,with certain portions broken away; and

Fig. 1l is a detailed cross-sectional fragmentary view of the mast andflashlight combination.

As will be seen in Fig. l, the raft 11 as constructed. has a tube 12,which tube or tubular peripheral member is dividedl into compartments 13by means of flexible cone-shaped divisions or bulkheads 14 cemented orotherwise secured in place therein. Deck 15 is attached diametrically ofthe tube 12, so as to lie midway between the upper and lower edges ofthe tube 12. Deck 15 is provided with life-line moorings 16, throughwhich slidably passes life-line 17. Tube 12 is provided with the novellife-line moorings 1S around its inner periphery. Equalizer tubes 19 arespaced on the outer periphery of tube 12, connecting compartments 13 atpoints bridging the bulkheads 14. Mounted on the tube is a cylinder 20of compressed CO2 gas for inflation of the tube.

It is readily apparent that when the CO2 gas is released from thecylinder, it passes into that compartment 13 of tube 12 at whichcylinder 20 is mounted, then passes through on equalizer tube 19 intothe next compartment, and so on until the entire tube is inflated.

After complete inflation of the tube 12, equalizer tubes 19 are closedoff, as by turning thumb screws 21 of pinch clamps 22, forcing opposedfaces 23, 24 together, thus closing off air passage 25 of tube 19between compartments. It will be seen, therefore, that when this isdone, there is no intercommunication between any of the compartments ofthe tube, so that in the event one of the compartments lbecomesruptured, thereby losing its inllating air, the remaining compartmentswill continue to be inflated, and not lose their inilating air throughsuch rupture. Should two or even three of the compartments 13 becomeruptured, the raft will still function to support the survivors.

Flexible bulkheads 14 are non-planar in cross-section and preferably arecone-shaped, as best seen in Fig. 8, in order better to withstandpressure, and to equalize the volumes and pressures i-n adjacentcompartments. Also, if an adjacent compartment becomes punctured andcollapses, I have found that this non-planar, coned,

If desired, the

curved, or bowed bulkhead satisfactorily withstands breaking even whenmuch greater pressure is applied to one side and relatively little tothe other.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a canopy, andcanopy-supporting means. As best seen in Figs. l and 3, canopy-supportrods or stanchions Z7 are received through canopy-support rod holders 26cemented or otherwise secured to tube 12, which are spaced at intervalson tube 12. Disposed below holders 26 on the face of deck are sockets28, adapted to securely receive therein the lower ends of rods 27 (Fig.l0).

Additional canopy-supporting means are provided in the oamiast 29, withattached signalling means 30. Mast 29 is received in envelope or socket31, that is preferably flexible, and attached to the center of deck 1S.

it will be understood that, as shown for example in Fig. 3, theattachments 16, 1S, 26, 28, 31, and 44 may be, and preferably are,provided at appropriate positions on both sides of deck 1S and tube 12,so as to permit immediate use of the raft for its intended purpose,irrespective of which side of the raft rests in the water.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, a canopy 32 is supported on stanchion or rods27 and mast 29, for weather-protection of survivors on the raft. Canopy32 is made of a relatively light-weight opaque rubberized nylon fabric,and is provided at its apex with a transparent portion 33, preferablymade from a polyester lm such as that known as Mylar. The color of thefabric used is yellow for greater visibility.

Disposed in hem 34 of canopy 32 is a length of elastic cord 35, adaptedto hold the lower edge of canopy 32 securely against the tube 12. Canopy32 is also provided at suitable positions with sockets 36 which fit overthe upper ends of canopy-supporting stanchions 27, whereby to hold andgive a shouldered shape to the canopy at the upper ends of thestanchions. As seen in Fig. 2, the canopy is provided with an invertedV-shaped zipper construction 37, providing access to and egress from theinterior of canopy 32, and in addition may be utilized with a similarstructure (not shown) diametrically disposed in the canopy, forventilation purposes. Also as shown at the right in Fig. 2, portions ofcanopy 32 may -be rolled up for admission of additional light, or air,and secured in rolled-up position by any conventional method, means forwhich may be provided in the construction of the canopy.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 7 and ll, it will be seen thatthere has been provide a mast 29 for supporting canopy 32, while at thesame time providing signalling means for attracting rescuers. Mast 29may be composed of oar 38, extension 39 and signalling member 30. Member36 may be a two-cell flashlight provided with flasher 40, and switch 52,which may 'be manually operated by occupa-nts of the raft upon properoccasion. As best seen in Fig. ll, flashlight 3G is connected toextension 39, as by sleeve 41 which may be of rubber, the sleeve 41serving to cover and protect rivet connections 42. Rivets 42 secure thesignalling means 30 to extension 39.

When canopy 32 is in place and supported, at least in part, by mast 29,the transparent portion 33 of the canopy rests on transparent lens 43 offlashlight 35i. As asher 4t) operates, the signal thereby produced willbe transmitted through the portion 33, and thereby be readily observableby searchers and rescuers` Fig. 6 illustrates a preferred form ofreadily releasable lifeline 17, to be attached to the inner periphery oftube 12. As there shown, mooring 16 is constructed of a patch 44 inwhich there are parallel slots 45, 46. Passing through slots 45, 46 is aloop 47, adapted to slidably receive therethrough life-line 17. As willbe noted, loop 47 is constructed adjacent one end thereof with a cut 48,which receives therein the opposite co-operatively shaped end 49 of loop47. During rough weather, the occupants of the deck grip line 17 inorder to steady 4. their positions. Maintaining their position is alsofacilitated if the occupant puts his feet on the second lifeline 53. If,perchance, one of them should be thrown about while grasping line 17,the force transmitted thereto will break cut 48 completely open, therebypermitting the occupant to retain a connection with the raft until he isreturned to his position by the other survivors.

Fig. 9 illustrates the method by which deck life-line 17 is secured tothe deck 15 at points inboard of the tube '12. Loop 18 is secured, as bycementing, to deck and a chafing patch 50 is secured thereover toprotect the deck at the point of strain. In this loop may also besecured a second deck life-line 53 that is more or less circularlyarranged as shown in Fig. l. Life-line 54 extends around the peripheryof the tube of the life-raft but is looped as shown at the right of Fig.2 to provide immersed stirrups to be used by survivors in boarding theraft.

Chang patches 51 are employed for like purposes at the points ofem-ergence from tube 12 of equalizer tubes 19, and intermediate thelength of tubes 19 where equalizer clamps 22 are situated.

Fig. l() illustrates the manner in which canopy-support stanchions 27are inserted and held in canopy-support rod sockets 28. Sockets 28 areformed of the same material as tube 12 and deck 15, and are cemented inplace. Stanchions 27 may be one-piece, or they may be of telescopicconstruction, allowing for permanent attachment to deck 15, while at thesame time permitting adjustment in the shape of the canopy.

Sockets 36, attached to canopy 32 for reception of the upper ends ofstanchions 27 are of the same material as the canopy. The varioussleeves, grommets and the like which are attached to the deck 1S andtube 12 are of the same material as the deck and tube.

In operation, the folded and deflated raft is thrown overboard.Survivors swim to it; inflate it; climb aboard using the stirrupedlife-line 54; and hold themselves in place on the deck by the life-lines17 and 53. Then they put up the canopy, as needed.

The raft of the invention, although primarily intended for use at sea,is not restricted thereto. Inasmuch as aircraft sometimes crash in otherareas, as for example arctic or desert lands, it is contemplated to usethe raft and canopy as shelter in such areas. Where a crash occurs in anarctic area, the survivors may pack snow or ice around the raft, whileusing the canopy as a protective device against exposure. ln a similarway, if a crash occurs in a desert or on the plains, sand or the likemay be packed around the raft, as may be branches of trees, moss, dirtor the like, in the event of a crash in jungle or mountainous areas.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well asconjointly co-operative equivalents, are therefore intended to beembraced by those claims.

I claim:

l. A life-raft having an inflatable endless tube, a diaphragmatic deckextending inwardly of the tube at an elevation substantially at thernidheight of the tube, an endless life-line extending annularly aroundthe center of the deck and inboard of the tube, an inner ring of loopedmeans for slidably securing the life-line to the deck at a plurality ofpoints, an outer ring of breakable looped strap means disposed at aplurality of points around the periphery of the raft, and a secondendless life-line extending alternately and slidably through a loopedstrap of the outer ring thereof and a loop of the inner ring thereof topresent in plan view a circle formed by the inner life-line from whichradiates a plurality of angles formed by the outer life-line with theouter looped straps, whereby when an occupant of the life-raft puts anabnormal strain on the second life-line a looped strap of the outer ringthereof will break instead of a loop of the inner ring thereof.

2. A life-raft having an inatable endless tube, a diaphragmatic deckextending inwardly from the tube, compartmentizing flexible divisionsextending generally transversely of the tube, equalizer means bridgingaround each division, means for closing 01T the equalizer means,life-lines on the deck, and breakable means for securing the life-linesslidably in place, wherein the breakable means comprise a slotted patchsecured to the tube, a life-line engaging loop of rubberized fabricpassing through slots of the patch, and one end of said loop beingslotted for reception in irm but easily breakable engagement of theopposite co-operatively formed end of said loop.

References Cited in the tile ot' this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSLindemann June 8, Smyth Oct. 4, Vlahon May 1, Boyle Oct. 2, Clarke July19, Winckler Mar. 1, Purdy Mar. 5, Spanel Mar. 5,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 19,

OTHER REFERENCES Popular Mechanics, pages 84-85, July 1951.

